Liability for Damages in an Accident in California With a Stolen Vehicle

Accidents in California have become a common cause of injuries, leaving victims with medical bills and repair/replacement costs. Normally, the injured victim can file a claim and recover compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance. But things can get complicated if an accident in California involves a stolen vehicle. Around 65,000 trucks are stolen on average annually. The FBI reports that $7.4 billion was lost to motor vehicle theft in 2020. Isn’t it shocking? Even if you have insurance and take care of a vehicle, it can still be stolen. Hence, it is important to keep records of your vehicle. Apart from that, you need to acquire records from the previous owner when buying a vehicle. your vehicle is not solely yours. It is possible that the previous owner of the vehicle was corrupt and they had stolen the vehicle from somewhere else. If your car is stolen, it’s necessary to file a police report. If you ever get involved in an accident, and you suffer from losses that compel you to take the matter to court, then you need to understand that you cannot just go and file a case against the other party. You should first try to figure out the truly liable person. A few major points can help us understand how each aspect of the case can confirm the liable person for the accident.

Can the True Owner Be a Liable Person for the Accident in California?

Well, according to the law of California, if a person gets involved in such cases, they might have to first investigate who the real owner is. After that, the one making the claim, known as the plaintiff, has to bring all the documents. The true owner is generally not liable. If the car was stolen, the owner did not cause the accident and did not give the responsible driver permission to use the car. It’s important to be able to prove your car was stolen. A police report of the theft usually serves as evidence.

What About the Insurance Companies?

If the thief is identified and tracked down, and he/she has car insurance, then the victim of the accident can file a claim against the thief’s insurance carrier. The true owner of the stolen vehicle could also file a claim to recover the cost of repairing or replacing the vehicle. However, it’s unlikely the thief has insurance. In that instance, the victim can file a civil lawsuit. However, an uninsured driver usually doesn’t have any assets. Usually, the injured victim must file a claim with their own insurance company to get reimbursed. As long as you have collision coverage, car repair costs will be covered. If you purchased optional uninsured motorist coverage, this will pay for medical bills and lost wages up to the policy limit. Without uninsured motorist coverage, you could be forced to shoulder the costs yourself.

Can a Professional Attorney Help?

We always encourage people to take their cases to professional attorneys. They know how to handle situations. They also know the dos and don’ts of the legal proceedings. Here at the Crockett Law Group, we help victims of auto accidents get the compensation they deserve. If you ever get involved in an accident in California, you should not panic. Firstly, you need to take all the records of the accident and its details to a professional attorney. After that, you should try to explain all the things properly. This is the best way you can deal with the complications of cases involving a stolen vehicle.